Mining
Medicals

Mining Medicals

Each mining jurisdiction and most mining companies have prescribed medical standards.

The Coal Mine Workers' Health Scheme (formerly the Coal Board Medical) protects the health of Queensland coal mine workers by ensuring they undergo compulsory pre-employment and periodic health assessments.

A key purpose of the respiratory component of the scheme is to provide early detection of coal mine dust lung disease among Queensland coal mine workers.

Under the scheme, operators of Queensland coal mines must ensure that health assessments are carried out on each person they employ, or intend to employ, as a coal mine worker. The scheme does not apply to workers employed for low-risk tasks.

Health assessments are required:

• before a person starts work as a mine worker
• periodically, as decided by the employer's nominated medical adviser (NMA), but at least once every 5 years
• if the NMA decides it is necessary after receiving a notice under section 49 of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2017.

The employer is required to arrange and pay for their workers' health assessment. The health assessment is conducted by the employer's nominated medical adviser (NMA) using the Department of Natural Resources and Mines (DNRM) health assessment form in accordance with sections 46, 46A and 46B of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2017.